No. 1 Stanford beats S. Carolina 53-49

December 20, 2012 11:09 PM

Photo: Rainier Ehrhardt/Associated Press

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Stanford's Toni Kokenis (31) drives to the basket as South Carolina's Sancheon White (20) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. Stanford won 53-49. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt) less

Stanford's Toni Kokenis (31) drives to the basket as South Carolina's Sancheon White (20) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. ... more

South Carolina's Aleighsa Welch reacts in the final seconds of the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Stanford, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. Stanford won 53-49. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt) less

South Carolina's Aleighsa Welch reacts in the final seconds of the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Stanford, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. Stanford won 53-49. (AP ... more

Photo: Rainier Ehrhardt, Associated Press

South Carolina's Aleighsa Welch reacts in the final seconds of... Photo-3919832.54149 - SFGate

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Stanford's Joslyn Tinkle (44) looks to pass as South Carolina's Sancheon White (20) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt) less

Stanford's Joslyn Tinkle (44) looks to pass as South Carolina's Sancheon White (20) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. (AP ... more

Stanford's Mikaela Ruef (3) is fouled by South Carolina's Tiffany Mitchell (25) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. Stanford won 53-49. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt) less

Stanford's Mikaela Ruef (3) is fouled by South Carolina's Tiffany Mitchell (25) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. Stanford won 53-49. (AP ... more

Stanford head coach Tara Vanderveer gives instructions to her players during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against South Carolina, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. Stanford won 53-49. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt) less

Stanford head coach Tara Vanderveer gives instructions to her players during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against South Carolina, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. Stanford won ... more

Stanford's Toni Kokenis (31) drives to the basket as South Carolina's Ieasia Walker (2) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt) less

Stanford's Toni Kokenis (31) drives to the basket as South Carolina's Ieasia Walker (2) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. (AP ... more

South Carolina's Tiffany Mitchell hustles for a loose ball against Stanford's Bonnie Samuelson, left, and Chiney Ogwumike in the first period at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. (C. Aluka Berry/The State/MCT) less

South Carolina's Tiffany Mitchell hustles for a loose ball against Stanford's Bonnie Samuelson, left, and Chiney Ogwumike in the first period at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, on ... more

Stanford's Mikaela Ruef (3), South Carolina's Tiffany Mitchell (25) and teammate Sancheon White (20) go after a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. Stanford won 53-49. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt) less

Stanford's Mikaela Ruef (3), South Carolina's Tiffany Mitchell (25) and teammate Sancheon White (20) go after a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, ... more

South Carolina's Ashley Bruner scores against Stanford's Chiney Ogwumike in the first period at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. (C. Aluka Berry/The State/MCT) less

South Carolina's Ashley Bruner scores against Stanford's Chiney Ogwumike in the first period at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. (C. Aluka Berry/The ... more

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley watches her team as the Gamecocks trail Stanford in the first period at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. (C. Aluka Berry/The State/MCT) less

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley watches her team as the Gamecocks trail Stanford in the first period at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. (C. Aluka ... more

Photo: C. Aluka Berry, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley watches her team as the... Photo-3919824.54149 - SFGate

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Stanford's Toni Kokenis is defended by South Carolina's Tiffany Mitchell in the first period at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. (C. Aluka Berry/The State/MCT) less

Stanford's Toni Kokenis is defended by South Carolina's Tiffany Mitchell in the first period at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. (C. Aluka Berry/The ... more

Stanford's Toni Kokenis (31) drives to the basket as South Carolina's Sancheon White (20) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. Stanford won 53-49. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt) less

Stanford's Toni Kokenis (31) drives to the basket as South Carolina's Sancheon White (20) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. ... more

South Carolina's Ashley Bruner reacts after a teammate's score during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Stanford, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. Stanford won 53-49. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt) less

South Carolina's Ashley Bruner reacts after a teammate's score during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Stanford, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. Stanford won 53-49. (AP ... more

Stanford's Amber Orrange (33) drives as South Carolina's Ieasia Walker (2) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. Stanford won 53-49. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt) less

Stanford's Amber Orrange (33) drives as South Carolina's Ieasia Walker (2) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Columbia, S.C. Stanford won 53-49. ... more

Stanford's Mikaela Ruef, center, celebrates drawing a foul against South Carolina at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. (C. Aluka Berry/The State/MCT)

Stanford's Mikaela Ruef, center, celebrates drawing a foul against South Carolina at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. (C. Aluka Berry/The State/MCT)